Every now and then, since launching Green Lodging News in the summer of 2006, I would hear from the PGA National Resort & Spa’s Kathy McGuire. She would write with a question or comment. I always appreciated her feedback. I knew she played a significant role in helping to green the resort that is well known for its five championship golf courses and for hosting the PGA Tour’s Honda Classic (February 27 to March 2 this year). I finally had an opportunity to interview Kathy this past week and was pleased to learn that she recently had been promoted to Manager, Sustainable Development at the resort. It is still quite rare in our industry to have someone at a property level with full-time sustainability responsibilities.
Every property should have someone like Kathy. She is the type of person who is not afraid to initiate and take on leadership responsibilities. When she started working at the PGA National Resort & Spa almost eight years ago, she noticed just one blue recycling bin. Today, thanks to her and her recycling team’s efforts, the property has all-resort recycling and bins in every guestroom. The property is also doing many things to reduce energy and water consumption and Kathy is in pursuit of certification from the international GEO OnCourse program for the property’s golf courses. She is involved in multiple industry associations and the kind of person any manager would want to represent their property at an industry event.
Quantifiable Work Success
A few things stood out during my conversation with Kathy. She told me she was responsible for $350,000 in savings over the last five years. I am sure that played a significant role in her recent promotion. How many of you can link quantifiable savings to either your own efforts or those of another individual or team of associates at your property? If so, have you or others been properly recognized and rewarded for it?
I asked Kathy whether the resort had multiple green teams, given its size. She told me that it once did but she quickly learned that resort associates just did not have the time to devote to meetings. The resort is that busy. After reading a number of books on leadership, she decided to focus on just one team—a recycling team—and then build success from there. She told me her efforts are beginning to pay off with a higher waste diversion rate and increased staff participation. She has created a Heroes Fore the Planet program to quarterly recognize associates who have been particularly helpful with recycling.
Finally, what impressed me during my conversation with Kathy was her and her property’s willingness to investigate and invest in new technologies that deliver energy, water and waste improvements. Witness the resort’s recent $100 million investment that included new cooling towers and plant chiller equipment, new duct work, air handling systems, low-flow fixtures, light sensors, etc.
One of the joys of my job is getting to profile people like Kathy for our Personnel Profile section. I am looking forward to meeting her in person sometime soon.
We Have Moved Our Offices!
Green Lodging News has moved its offices from University Heights, Ohio, to Tampa, Fla., as of December 23, 2013. Our new address is: 7438 Gunn Hwy., Tampa, FL 33625. The new office number is (813) 510-3868. My cell number is the same: (216) 702-0334. Of course my e-mail will remain the same: editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
Who is Your Sustainability Champion?
Green Lodging News is always looking to profile sustainability champions in our Personnel Profile section. If you would like to nominate someone for this section of Green Lodging News, contact me at (216) 848-1406, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
Looking for Guest Columnists
Every two weeks Green Lodging News posts a new guest column on its website. (Click here for examples.) The guest column also appears in the weekly e-newsletter. Green Lodging News is currently in need of industry experts to contribute occasional guest columns. Experts may include consultants, architects, designers, suppliers and those who own or operate green lodging establishments. Columns may be articles that take a stance on a particular subject or be strictly educational in nature. Columnists benefit by having their photo included along with a one paragraph description of their company. Interested in writing a column? Contact Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor, at (216) 848-1406, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
Planning Advertising for 2014?
Green Lodging News is accepting reservations for advertising spots for 2014. Many excellent spots are available on the website and in the weekly e-mail newsletter. Many Green Supplier Spotlight dates are also available. Interested in receiving a 2014 media kit? Be sure to contact me as soon as possible at (216) 848-1406, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com. Media kits can also be accessed by clicking here. Thank you to all of those companies that consistently support Green Lodging News.
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As always, I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
